StoryCorps National Teachers Initiative Visits Hampton Roads WHRO

Patrick Geromin, a History teacher at Smithfield High School, talks with his spouse, Courtney Rhodes, about his decision to become a teacher. Though he never wanted to pursue this career, an Alternative College Spring Break Program made him realize his love of teaching.

Donald Hurwitz, a Marketing and Education for Employment teacher at Deep Creek High School, talks with his stepson, Joshua Cohen, about his first day of teaching. In classroom of students in danger of failing, Hurwitz learned that it’s okay to be spontaneous.

Joyce McDowell, a K-12 SPED Inclusion teacher, talks with her son, Michael Napper about what they learned in their years traveling as a military family. Napper says that his exposure to diverse cultures positively affected his life and also gave him the opportunity to dispel many African American stereotypes.

Dana Patterson, a graduation specialist at Hampton and Bethel High School, talks with Principal Myer Chambers and former student, Sunday Osbourne, about Sunday’s untraditional road to graduation. Now in college, Sunday says that if she did it, with support, other students can too.

Jeanette Potter, a math and science teacher at Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center, talks with her co-worker, Karen Vaughan, about what it’s like to teach at the Center. Potter explains the importance of creating an open environment where the students can abandon their hard exteriors and simply be kids.

Karol Buckhalter, an English teacher at Renaissance Academy, talks with her co-worker, Kenya Smith, about their experiences as teachers in alternative education. Both women discuss the importance of creating an open environment where children can learn and the importance of recognizing factors outside of the classroom.